ISLAMABAD: Sherry Rehman has become the first female leader of the opposition in the Senate, the upper house of the Pakistani parliament.
In a message posted on Twitter on March 22, shortly after the announcement of her new role, the senator thanked her party, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and all those who had supported her campaign.
“Thank you to my party leadership, Chairman @BBhuttoZardari, Pres. Zardari and opposition parties that reposed confidence in me,” she wrote. “Thank you to colleagues from FATA and Balochistan, as well as ANP and BNP(M) who have supported all the way. I look forward to working with all opposition.”
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the chairman of the PPP, tweeted: “First woman opposition leader in the senate. #PPP #WeMakeHistory Congratulations @sherryrehman.”
Rehman was born on December 21, 1960, in Karachi. She was Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States from 2011 to 2013.
On March 12, Sadiq Sanjrani, an independent senator from Balochistan, was elected chairman of the senate, backed by the PPP and other opposition parties. PPP Senator Saleem Mandviwala was elected deputy chairman.
Rehman becomes first female opposition leader in Pakistani Senate
Rehman becomes first female opposition leader in Pakistani Senate
Pakistan forms committee to negotiate financial advisory services for Islamabad airport privatization
- Committee to engage Asian Development Bank to negotiate terms of financial advisory services agreement, says privatization ministry
- Inaugurated in 2018, Islamabad airport has faced criticism over construction delays, poor facilities and operational inefficiencies
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Privatization Ministry announced on Wednesday that it has formed a committee to engage the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to negotiate a potential financial advisory services agreement for the privatization of Islamabad International Airport.
The Islamabad International Airport, inaugurated in 2018 at a cost of over $1 billion, has faced criticism over construction delays, poor facilities, and operational inefficiencies.
The Negotiation Committee formed by the Privatization Commission will engage with the ADB to negotiate the terms of a potential Financial Advisory Services Agreement (FASA) for the airport’s privatization, the ministry said.
“The Negotiation Committee has been mandated to undertake negotiations and submit its recommendations to the Board for consideration and approval, in line with the applicable regulatory framework,” the Privatization Ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said Islamabad airport operations will be outsourced under a concession model through an open and competitive process to enhance its operational efficiency and improve service delivery standards.
Pakistan has recently sought to privatize or outsource management of several state-run enterprises under conditions agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as part of a $7 billion bailout approved in September last year.
Islamabad hopes outsourcing airport operations will bring operational expertise, enhance passenger experience and restore confidence in the aviation sector.
In December 2025, Pakistan’s government successfully privatized its national flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), selling 75 percent of its stakes to a consortium led by the Arif Habib Group.
The group secured a 75 percent stake in the PIA for Rs135 billion ($482 million) after several rounds of bidding, valuing the airline at Rs180 billion ($643 million).
Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said this week the government has handed over 26 state-owned enterprises to the Privatization Commission.
